Embrace Grace: Embracing Life
Embrace Grace is a pro-life Christian nonprofit created to support single pregnant women. Jessica Skipworth is the pastor’s wife at West Bay Advent Christian Church, which began an Embrace Grace program in January 2023.
Tell us a little about West Bay Advent Christian Church.
West Bay Advent Christian Church is in Panama City Beach, Florida and recently celebrated its 125th anniversary. My husband, Kevin Skipworth, has pastored this church since March 2020. We are in a tourist-driven busy rural town where approximately 4.5 million visitors come annually to go to the beach. We have about 19,000 permanent residents. My husband and I began serving here at the beginning of the Covid pandemic when many of the church’s congregation stopped attending. Since the pandemic, we typically have about 20 consistent active church members.
Embrace Grace is a new program for the church. What led to this type of ministry?
I initiated becoming involved with Embrace Grace.
I have always been pro-life and there are several unplanned pregnancies in my families’ history. My mother found out she was pregnant at 16 and when pressured to abort, she refused and pursued adoption. When the adoption papers were signed, the adoptive parents came to the hospital to get me, but the paperwork was not in order. My mother had accidently listed my father on the birth certificate, and he refused to sign the adoption papers. I now see that this was God stepping in. Because of that event, my great-grandparents helped raise me in an Advent Christian home.
The unplanned pregnancies did not stop with my mother. At age 16, I became a mother as well. At that time, I was also pressured to have an abortion but I refused. I believe life begins at conception and that all life is precious and valuable.
It’s hard to talk about my passion for this project without talking about my college internship with a teen mom group. The year prior to that internship, I had been in prayer for a friend regarding a teen being pressured to abort. During my internship, I followed up with my friend and asked for an update on the situation. She said, “Jessica don’t you know? The young girl is in the teen mom class you assist with!” I had unknowingly held the baby I had prayed for! It just gives me chills each time I tell that story!
Fast forward to June 2022, Roe vs. Wade was overturned. While there was an uproar, I also saw the Christian community stepping up and proclaiming church support of new mothers. I wanted to be a part of that supportive community, but at that time I was not sure how I could help. When I saw an ad for Embrace Grace, I got information about the program, but I waited and prayed for almost an entire year.
As soon as I felt ready, I presented the idea to our church board. In January 2023, during our Sanctity of Human Life service, I presented the program to the church and we began planning for our first semester.
Were there any bumps along the way to getting this off the ground?
I think the biggest bump that we have had is being able to get the word out. Typically, Embrace Grace churches partner with area pregnancy centers to distribute “Love Boxes.” Inside the box there is information about Embrace Grace as well as other supportive material to point the mother toward choosing life for her unborn child. The local center here was willing to meet with me and my co-leader, but they declined to give out the boxes, so we have had to rely on social media and word of mouth. It is a little disheartening, but we are hoping to partner with other organizations in the future.
How has this program changed the church?
It has definitely changed our culture.
Two Jamaican ladies have begun attending our church services as much as they can and brought friends, one of which Kevin baptized! In Jamaican culture it is very important for their children to be dedicated to the Lord prior to enrolling them in daycare, so my husband had the privilege of dedicating both babies to the Lord at the same time.
West Bay hasn’t had many regularly attending children so it’s such a blessing to see these mamas and hear those babies crying on a Sunday morning. One of our mamas also has a one-year-old who comes up to our members and greets them with a hug. It is such a sweet thing to see.
You mentioned many local partnerships that donate goods to your young mothers. How have these partnerships strengthened your ministry?
Our donations coordinator Kathy Tucker has done an amazing job partnering with a local children’s consignment shop. She receives donations from them up to three times a week. It is a blessing, but the sheer volume has become overwhelming due to our limited storage.
We didn’t want to turn away donations in fear that this partnership would suffer, so Kathy began diligently seeking out families in our community who are in need. She has joined social media groups and when she sees a need, she reaches out and offers the donation. Kathy also partnered with a local daycare where she goes weekly to donate items to the parents there. Donations have also gone to the Salvation Army and Anchorage Children’s Home. Kathy passes out brochures about our church and our Embrace Grace program when she gives these donations.
From a church perspective, what does follow-up with these mothers look like after they have completed the program?
When our participants give birth, we visit them in the hospital. It is usually the leader, co-leader and pastor who go together. The leaders and pastor also continue to reach out to the participants through text and phone calls just to check in with them, let them know that we are there for them if they need us. We continue to offer donated items to them if the need arises.
What is your vision for Embrace Grace in the coming years?
Because we are the only Embrace Grace group within 86 miles of our area, we want to be a well-known support system within our area for single pregnant women and families in need. We want the public to know that the church is a safe, loving environment where they will feel welcomed and wanted.
Would you recommend other Advent Christian churches start their own Embrace Grace programs?
Absolutely.
How would a church get started with Embrace Grace?
Visit their website: embracegrace.com
Or email them: info@embracegrace.com
“Embrace Grace Embracing Life,” The Advent Christian Witness, Winter 2024